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Degrading: meaning, definitions and examples

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degrading

 

[ dɪˈɡreɪdɪŋ ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

in a negative way

Causing a loss of self-respect; humiliating. Treating someone with disrespect.

Synonyms

demeaning, disrespectful, humiliating

Examples of usage

  • His degrading comments made her feel worthless.
  • The degrading treatment of prisoners is unacceptable.
Context #2 | Verb

to reduce in value or quality

To lower in dignity or honor; to bring into contempt or disgrace. To reduce someone to a lower rank, especially as a punishment.

Synonyms

debase, demean, devalue

Examples of usage

  • The company's cost-cutting measures have degraded the quality of their products.
  • The tyrant degraded his political opponents to silence them.

Translations

Translations of the word "degrading" in other languages:

🇵🇹 degradante

🇮🇳 अपमानजनक

🇩🇪 erniedrigend

🇮🇩 merendahkan

🇺🇦 принизливий

🇵🇱 poniżający

🇯🇵 屈辱的な (くつじょくてきな)

🇫🇷 dégradant

🇪🇸 degradante

🇹🇷 aşağılayıcı

🇰🇷 모욕적인

🇸🇦 مهين

🇨🇿 ponižující

🇸🇰 ponižujúci

🇨🇳 侮辱的 (wǔrǔ de)

🇸🇮 ponižujoč

🇮🇸 niðurlægjandi

🇰🇿 қорлайтын

🇬🇪 დამცინავი

🇦🇿 alçaldıcı

🇲🇽 degradante

Etymology

The word 'degrading' originated from the Middle French word 'degrader', which means 'to degrade'. The prefix 'de-' signifies 'down' or 'away', while 'grade' comes from the Latin 'gradus' meaning 'step' or 'stage'. Therefore, 'degrading' refers to the act of lowering someone or something in status or quality.

See also: degradable, degradation, degrader.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,663, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.